When dirt is turned in downtown Seaside this week, it will put in motion the fulfillment of the resort town's original town plans, bringing big changes for Seaside.
The original plans didn't call for it (the town) to look the way it looks today. That's why many of the present buildings are mobile, so they can be moved, explained CEO Rick Severance.
The end result will change the face the resort town presents to visitors.
When the town was built, the downtown area was anchored by two mixed-use permanent buildings first, the Holl building on County Road 30A and east Quincy Circle, and then the Machado Silvetti building on the corner of 30A and western Quincy Circle. These modern-looking buildings of cement block construction were the only stationary ones on the circle for the first 20 years. The remainder of the downtown buildings are in the Old Florida style which appeals to visitors.
During build out, the wooden buildings will be removed and a continuity created as the anchor buildings meet in the middle at Seaside Avenue.
Seaside's much photographed icon its post office will be moved from the post it has commanded on 30A to the intersection of Quincy Circle and Seaside Avenue, bridging the gap between the two anchors.
The new construction will be more ornate and visually detailed than the Holl and Machato buildings, said Severance. The resulting appearance is intended to convey a European flavor, particularly, of small Italian villages.
All changes will not take place on the north side of 30A, however, as the south side of town will undergo change also as build out spreads there.
The wooden buildings housing stores in the shopping district on the beach side will be torn down or moved.
The open-air marketplace, Per-Spi-Cas-ity, will be moved to the north side along 30A. It will remain an outdoor market, but in addition, one side will be air conditioned.
It won't lose its scale or architectural integrity from the original, said Severance.
The two-story building housing Bud n Alley's, the icon watering hole renowned for its fabulous sunset view from atop its rooftop bar, will not be spared. Marketing Director Stacey Brady said plans call for at least one food and beverage offering within the redesigned space; however, at present, they don't know if Bud n Alley's will be the operator.
Directly across from the Holl and Machado buildings on the south side, new four-story buildings will be constructed. These "gateway" buildings will be mixed use with retail on the first floor and high-end condos above. They will be The Anchors on 30A, said Severance.
The beginning point for build out is at the north end of the Machado building. The new construction will look similar to Machado, and will have four stories of mixed use space, with the top two floors being high-end residential.
The Krier Tower will be built at the head of the amphitheater. Named for renowned architect Leon Krier, the tower is part of the original downtown plan. It will be the center, said Severance.
A new add that was not part of the original plan, is a civic plaza that will be constructed south of where the post office is now, which will open up beach access and views to the public.
It's very exciting, said Severance. We're giving back to the community and this plaza will add to the sustainability of the county. These are ideas 25 years in the making.
Severance estimates that build out will take five or six years, but there is no rush, he said. This kind of execution for a town center is gigantic. It's a long-term project with a lot of variables and we will go slow. It will be completed in Seaside time.
Severance said sensitivity will be used in releasing and staggering construction times to maintain the vibrancy of downtown, which has seen substantial growth in the past three or four years.
Architectural services for the different constructs are being divided between different agencies chosen by Seaside developer Robert Davis.
Seaside will celebrate its 25th anniversary in December 2006. Severance said plans are for a year-long celebration in 2006, with a big culmination of festivities in December.
The original plans didn't call for it (the town) to look the way it looks today. That's why many of the present buildings are mobile, so they can be moved, explained CEO Rick Severance.
The end result will change the face the resort town presents to visitors.
When the town was built, the downtown area was anchored by two mixed-use permanent buildings first, the Holl building on County Road 30A and east Quincy Circle, and then the Machado Silvetti building on the corner of 30A and western Quincy Circle. These modern-looking buildings of cement block construction were the only stationary ones on the circle for the first 20 years. The remainder of the downtown buildings are in the Old Florida style which appeals to visitors.
During build out, the wooden buildings will be removed and a continuity created as the anchor buildings meet in the middle at Seaside Avenue.
Seaside's much photographed icon its post office will be moved from the post it has commanded on 30A to the intersection of Quincy Circle and Seaside Avenue, bridging the gap between the two anchors.
The new construction will be more ornate and visually detailed than the Holl and Machato buildings, said Severance. The resulting appearance is intended to convey a European flavor, particularly, of small Italian villages.
All changes will not take place on the north side of 30A, however, as the south side of town will undergo change also as build out spreads there.
The wooden buildings housing stores in the shopping district on the beach side will be torn down or moved.
The open-air marketplace, Per-Spi-Cas-ity, will be moved to the north side along 30A. It will remain an outdoor market, but in addition, one side will be air conditioned.
It won't lose its scale or architectural integrity from the original, said Severance.
The two-story building housing Bud n Alley's, the icon watering hole renowned for its fabulous sunset view from atop its rooftop bar, will not be spared. Marketing Director Stacey Brady said plans call for at least one food and beverage offering within the redesigned space; however, at present, they don't know if Bud n Alley's will be the operator.
Directly across from the Holl and Machado buildings on the south side, new four-story buildings will be constructed. These "gateway" buildings will be mixed use with retail on the first floor and high-end condos above. They will be The Anchors on 30A, said Severance.
The beginning point for build out is at the north end of the Machado building. The new construction will look similar to Machado, and will have four stories of mixed use space, with the top two floors being high-end residential.
The Krier Tower will be built at the head of the amphitheater. Named for renowned architect Leon Krier, the tower is part of the original downtown plan. It will be the center, said Severance.
A new add that was not part of the original plan, is a civic plaza that will be constructed south of where the post office is now, which will open up beach access and views to the public.
It's very exciting, said Severance. We're giving back to the community and this plaza will add to the sustainability of the county. These are ideas 25 years in the making.
Severance estimates that build out will take five or six years, but there is no rush, he said. This kind of execution for a town center is gigantic. It's a long-term project with a lot of variables and we will go slow. It will be completed in Seaside time.
Severance said sensitivity will be used in releasing and staggering construction times to maintain the vibrancy of downtown, which has seen substantial growth in the past three or four years.
Architectural services for the different constructs are being divided between different agencies chosen by Seaside developer Robert Davis.
Seaside will celebrate its 25th anniversary in December 2006. Severance said plans are for a year-long celebration in 2006, with a big culmination of festivities in December.
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